Print

Mail

wiki links

Restaurants: Le Ballon Rouge (紅氣球)

A cocktail and light repast at Le Ballon Rouge are just right for post- or pre-movie victuals. PHOTO: HO YI, TAIPEI TIMES

Usually redundant while watching films, taste buds now have a chance to join in the cinematic fun. Le Ballon Rouge's drinks menu consists of cocktails named after works by local auteurs Hou Hsiao-hsien (侯孝賢), Tsai Ming-liang (蔡明亮) and other international film directors. At the restaurant-cum-bar, which reopened a few months ago on the second floor of SPOT - Taipei Film House (台北之家), cinema is omnipresent, from the menu and the decorations to the restaurant's clientele, a who's who of local filmmakers, scriptwriters and other film professionals and artistic types.

The warmly lit room is given a contemporary look with a palette of ivory white, dark and light brown, gray, black and silver that exudes chic elegance. The large balcony is popular as it offers diners a pleasant view across the garden and a light breeze on hot summer nights.

The establishment, which usually comes to life after dark, offers several set menus from 5:30pm to 9pm. New menus are devised every three months. The most popular among those currently on offer is the deboned chicken leg with barbeque sauce (NT$480).

After 9pm, a selection of appetizers can be ordered. Foie gras with banana slices (NT$120) comes highly recommended; the rich, buttery taste of the French delicacy marries well with the fragrant fruit. Baked apple with spices (NT$120) is a sweet hors d'oeuvre made by first marinating the fruit in red wine, then dipping it in cinnamon, curry and Caesar sauces after baking - not as strange tasting as it sounds.

Le Ballon Rouge's cinematic drinks specials include Deck the Halls, a summery juice of fresh kiwis and cranberries. The late Edward Yang's (楊德昌) classic, The Terrorizer, is represented by a potent concoction of gin, vermouth and absinthe, while Fritz Lang's Metropolis tastes of vodka, lemon and apple.

"We will put new cocktails on the menu from time to time when we are inspired," restaurant manger Ellen Tseng (曾盈蓉) said.

The historic building's most secluded spot, the VIP room, overlooks the courtyard and can accommodate 10 to 15 people (NT$6,000 on weekends; NT$5,000 on weekdays). Advance booking is recommended.

Address: 18 Zhongshan N Rd Sec 2, Taipei

(台北市中山北路二段18號)

Telephone: (02) 2562 5602

Open: Sunday to Thursday from 12pm to 1am; Saturday and Sunday from 12pm to 2am. Close on the first Monday of every month

Average meal: NT$500 with 10 percent service charge

Details: Menu in Chinese and English; credit cards accepted

This story has been viewed 1011 times.